A floristic study on miniature sacred forests at Agastheeshwaram, southern peninsular India.

The present study deals with the floristic richness of the sacred groves of Agastheeshwaram, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu, India. It covers an area of ca. 2.6 ha. Altogether, 98 angiospermic species from 87 genera and 43 families were enumerated from the sacred grove. Of these species 80.6% are used as medicine, 6.12% have a timber value and 10.20% are used as minor forest produce by the local inhabitants of the study area. Some rare, endangered and endemic plants are confined to this grove only. The attendant cultural rites and religious rituals have perpetuated the status of the sacred grove, which has ensured the protection of the grove vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]